Sadri Gjonbalaj
Encyclopedia
Sadri Gjonbalaj is a retired American soccer forward
who played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League
, American Soccer League
, American Professional Soccer League
and National Professional Soccer League. He also earned five caps, scoring one goal, with the U.S. national team. Born in Albania, he grew up in Brooklyn, New York.
where he played on the Wolfpack's soccer team from 1983 to 1986.
of the Major Indoor Soccer League
selected Gjonbalaj in the first round (2nd overall) of the 1987 MISL Draft. In May 1988, the Lazers loaned Gjonbalaj to the Albany Capitals
of the American Soccer League
. In 1989 he was with the New Jersey Eagles
of the ASL. Then in 1990, he moved to the Washington Diplomats
of the ASL successor league, the American Professional Soccer League
. In the fall of 1990, he signed with the New York Kick
of the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL). In January 1991, the Kick sold Gjonbalaj's contract to the Chicago Power
. He played nine games and scored two goals as the Power won the NPSL championship. In December 1991, he signed with the Milwaukee Wave
. In 1993, he played for the Raleigh Flyers of the USISL. He then moved to the New York Fever for the 1994 season. In December 1994, he returned to the NPSL when he signed with the Canton Invaders
. In 1995, he was with the New York Centaurs
of the A-League
where he scored four goals in twenty games.
. Gjonbalaj also earned five caps with the U.S. national team. His first appearance came in a February 5, 1986 scoreless tie with Canada
when he came on for Brent Goulet
. His next cap did not come until a June 12, 1987 loss to South Korea
. He had to wait three more years for his third cap which came in a September 14, 1993 win over Jamaica
. Gjonbalaj scored the U.S. goal in the 1-0 victory. It was another two years before Gjonbalaj appeared for the U.S. again, this time on March 23, 1993 in a tie with El Salvador
. His last cap came two days later on March 25, 1993.
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
who played professionally in the Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
, American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
, American Professional Soccer League
American Professional Soccer League
The American Professional Soccer League is a former professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. It was the first outdoor soccer league to feature teams from throughout the United States since the demise of the original North American Soccer League...
and National Professional Soccer League. He also earned five caps, scoring one goal, with the U.S. national team. Born in Albania, he grew up in Brooklyn, New York.
College
Gjonbalaj attended North Carolina State UniversityNorth Carolina State University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
where he played on the Wolfpack's soccer team from 1983 to 1986.
Professional
In June 1987, the Los Angeles LazersLos Angeles Lazers
Los Angeles Lazers were a soccer team based out of Los Angeles that played in the Major Indoor Soccer League from 1982 to 1989.-History:Major Indoor Soccer League awarded a Los Angeles franchise to Jerry Buss on June 24, 1982. Buss had purchased the Philadelphia Fever and wanted to move it to...
of the Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
selected Gjonbalaj in the first round (2nd overall) of the 1987 MISL Draft. In May 1988, the Lazers loaned Gjonbalaj to the Albany Capitals
Albany Capitals
The Albany Capitals joined the third incarnation of the American Soccer League in 1989. The team joined the American Professional Soccer League in 1990 when the ASL merged with the Western Soccer League...
of the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
. In 1989 he was with the New Jersey Eagles
New Jersey Eagles
The New Jersey Eagles were an American soccer team founded in 1987 as the Cosmopolitan Eagles. In 1988, they entered the third American Soccer League as the New Jersey Eagles. They folded following the 1990 American Professional Soccer League season....
of the ASL. Then in 1990, he moved to the Washington Diplomats
Washington Diplomats
The Washington Diplomats were an American soccer club based in Washington, D.C.. Throughout their existence, the club played their home games at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium...
of the ASL successor league, the American Professional Soccer League
American Professional Soccer League
The American Professional Soccer League is a former professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. It was the first outdoor soccer league to feature teams from throughout the United States since the demise of the original North American Soccer League...
. In the fall of 1990, he signed with the New York Kick
New York Kick
The New York Kick was a professional indoor soccer team based in Albany, New York playing at the Knickerbocker Arena and competed in the American Indoor Soccer Association....
of the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL). In January 1991, the Kick sold Gjonbalaj's contract to the Chicago Power
Chicago Power
The Chicago Power were an indoor soccer club based in Chicago, Illinois that competed in the American Indoor Soccer Association and National Professional Soccer League.After the 1995/96 season, the team became the Edmonton Drillers.-Year-by-year:...
. He played nine games and scored two goals as the Power won the NPSL championship. In December 1991, he signed with the Milwaukee Wave
Milwaukee Wave
The Milwaukee Wave is an American professional indoor soccer team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. Founded in 1984 they are the oldest continuously operating professional soccer team in North Americaand a member of the Major Indoor Soccer League....
. In 1993, he played for the Raleigh Flyers of the USISL. He then moved to the New York Fever for the 1994 season. In December 1994, he returned to the NPSL when he signed with the Canton Invaders
Canton Invaders
The Canton Invaders was an indoor soccer club based in Canton, Ohio that competed in the National Professional Soccer League.After the 1995/96 season, the team became the Columbus Invaders.- Canton Invaders :...
. In 1995, he was with the New York Centaurs
New York Centaurs
The New York Centaurs were an A-League professional soccer club, based in New York City. The team played only one season in 1995. The New York Fever of the USISL Pro League, debuted in 1994, playing two seasons in the league before merging with the Centaurs organization in 1996...
of the A-League
A-League (1995–2004)
The A-League was a professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. The A-League emerged out of the restructured American Professional Soccer League in 1995 and operated until 2004, after which it was re-branded the USL First Division...
where he scored four goals in twenty games.
National team
In 1984 and 1985, Gjonbalaj played for the United States U-20 men's national soccer teamUnited States U-20 men's national soccer team
The United States U-20 men's national soccer team is the national under-20 soccer team of the United States of America and is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation. The highest level of competition in which the team competes is the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which is held every two years.The...
. Gjonbalaj also earned five caps with the U.S. national team. His first appearance came in a February 5, 1986 scoreless tie with Canada
Canada men's national soccer team
The Canada men's national soccer team represents Canada in international soccer competitions at the senior men's level. They are overseen by the Canadian Soccer Association and compete in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football .Their most significant...
when he came on for Brent Goulet
Brent Goulet
Brent Goulet is a retired American soccer forward and later coached SV Elversberg from 2004 to 2008. He began his career in the United States before moving to England and Germany, and also earned eight caps with the U.S. national team. He was the 1987 U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year and was a...
. His next cap did not come until a June 12, 1987 loss to South Korea
Korea Republic national football team
The Korea Republic national football team represents Korea Republic in international football and is controlled by the Korea Football Association. Korea Republic is the most successful Asian football team in the history of the FIFA World Cup having participated in eight World Cup tournaments,...
. He had to wait three more years for his third cap which came in a September 14, 1993 win over Jamaica
Jamaica national football team
The Jamaica national football team is the national team of Jamaica and is controlled by the Jamaica Football Federation. After decades in CONCACAF obscurity, they gained many fans throughout the world after they qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup...
. Gjonbalaj scored the U.S. goal in the 1-0 victory. It was another two years before Gjonbalaj appeared for the U.S. again, this time on March 23, 1993 in a tie with El Salvador
El Salvador national football team
El Salvador's national football team represents El Salvador in international football and is sanctioned by the Federación Salvadoreña de Fútbol . In 1899, Santa Ana and San Salvador met for the first hosted football game in El Salvador...
. His last cap came two days later on March 25, 1993.